Chapter 8: The extra just wants to live (1)

“Uum…”

Chloe rubbed her half-open eyes like a hamster.

“Huh? Where’s Kang Geom-Ma?”

It seemed that Kang Geom-Ma had disappeared while she had fainted. The window, which had let in the cold night breeze, was now firmly closed.

Chloe let out a small groan and rubbed her temples. She remembered washing the dishes, but after that, her memory seemed to have cut off.

She was sure she had seen Kang Geom-Ma sitting on the windowsill while she secretly watched him as she washed the dishes…

Unlike the cold and distant environment of her family, Kang Geom-Ma was the first person to risk his life for her. Every time she thought of him, her face turned bright red.

Rubbing her aching neck, Chloe instinctively searched for her katana. As always, it was leaning against the white wall.

She sighed in relief as she gently patted her small chest. Her family had always told her that she talked in her sleep, which made her worried. Thankfully, it seemed like nothing had happened this time.

For some time now, perhaps due to her harsh training with the Auditore family, Chloe often lost consciousness without realizing it.

For some reason, after she lost consciousness, the members of the Auditore family treated her with a more satisfied attitude than usual. They told her not to worry, but she felt like they were denying her true essence, making her not want to lose consciousness.

Moreover, the approving looks from her family after those episodes left her with an unsettling feeling of discomfort.

“Chloe, you idiot! Why did you faint at that moment?”

With those thoughts, embarrassment overwhelmed her. Chloe buried her face in the pillow and hit herself while murmuring.

“Kang Geom-Ma…”

With a squeal, she buried her face deeper into the pillow.

She had lost her memory on other occasions, but the fact that it had happened while she was with Kang Geom-Ma made her feel even more embarrassed.

Suddenly, a strange sensation made her lift her head. Something seemed different.

Chloe slowly got up from the bed and looked around. All the furniture was still in place, the only thing out of the ordinary was a box cutter lying on the floor.

She tilted her head, confused.

“Huh?”

Finally, Chloe realized something. Her hair, which used to reach down to her ears, was now much shorter. She touched her head and discovered that not only the sides, but her entire hair had been trimmed.

Chloe stood there, trying to piece together what had happened, but then she shook her head. She must have cut her hair to freshen up.

“Did I use the box cutter for that?”

Seeing hair in the trash bin, it seemed that Kang Geom-Ma had cleaned up after her.

“Kang Geom-Ma is so thoughtful…”

She wondered if she had said something embarrassing while she had lost consciousness, which made her blush even more. Clasping her hands over her chest, Chloe sat down at her desk and opened her diary.

Tucking her hair behind her ear, she felt lighter and more refreshed than before.

With her small hands, she began writing slowly.

『Kang Geom-Ma, I love you.』

A shy, charming smile appeared on her face.

***

After rushing out of the dormitory, covering my mouth, I leaned against the wall of the building.

“Ugh… Aaagh—”

My stomach churned, and I vomited the dinner I had enjoyed so much, feeling a sharp pain tightening around my optic nerves.

It had been 9 seconds, but I only lasted 5 before all this happened.

After emptying what I needed to, I slumped down onto a nearby bench. Curiously, it was the same bench where I had first activated the “Blessing of the Sword God.” Something unsettled me, so I leaned back against the bench.

Only the sound of insects filled the air. Slowly, my racing heart began to calm down. Still feeling drained, I half-closed my eyes and got lost in my thoughts.

‘Chloe… What on earth is she?’

Normally, the purpose of swordsmanship is to quickly finish off the opponent or subdue them.

However, Chloe’s style relentlessly targeted only vital points.

It wasn’t a straightforward fight; it seemed specially designed for surprise attacks and swift strikes. Even now, I was surprised I had dodged all her attacks so well. If she had attacked me in the dead of night, I would undoubtedly be dead.

By instinct, when I felt my life was in danger, I aimed for her neck. Fortunately, my knife was short enough to only slice a bit of her hair.

“At least I cleaned everything up before leaving, so there shouldn’t be any problems.”

I sighed with relief.

Reflecting on the events of the past week, I realized how insane this academy was. No matter how much I tried to deny it, I had no choice but to admit survival here wasn’t guaranteed.

“Normal, safe, peaceful.”

I repeated the rules I had set for myself on the day of the entrance ceremony.

They say that the hardest thing is to live a normal life, but this strange reality made me feel like I was constantly being pinched.

When I got trapped in this crazy game, it wasn’t like I didn’t have ambitions. Before coming here, I had mastered the art of sashimi and experienced what it was like to be at the top, so giving up on a man’s dream wasn’t the easiest decision.

But everyone has a role to play.

‘Miracle Blessing.’

The name of the game and the unique blessing of the protagonist of this world, who has yet to be found.

The blessing of Balor Joaquin, the founding hero, was one of only two legendary-level blessings in the game, if my memory serves me right.

Its description was simple but direct.

“Please, save the world from the Demon King.”

The worst part is that the protagonist is chosen by a sword that is both a holy sword and a demonic sword, called “Balmung.”

Meanwhile, all I had was a small sashimi knife.

Need I say more?

With a firm grip on my hand, I slapped my face a few times, a habit I’d had since I was young to clear my head.

Ever since I entered this academy, everything had been insane. Maybe I got carried away because the game was set in Korea and underestimated it.

But to move forward with the three rules I had set for myself, I had to leave my weaknesses behind.

To clear my mind, I pressed my temples with my thumbs. Then I sat on the bench and gazed up at the night sky. The stars sparkled like golden dust scattered across the firmament.

The night sky was so different from Earth’s. Watching a shooting star streak across in a golden trail, I felt a sense of comfort.

“I guess tomorrow I’ll have to go to the library.”

Even though I had a vague idea of the important characters in the game, it was true that my understanding of the world itself was quite lacking.

Moreover, it had been just over a week since I had entered the academy. According to the game’s story, the protagonist should soon be activating their divine blessing and completing the paperwork for their late admission.

I should prepare, to be ready for any situation. At least I knew the main storyline.

Of course, it would be better to know how it all ends.

But there was no point in regretting it now. The fact that I knew the plot up to the halfway point of the game was already a significant advantage.

I would do whatever was necessary to stay on the “right” path. If I got too involved in matters that didn’t concern me, even that small advantage could disappear.

I remembered why I stopped playing just as the story reached its midpoint. The idea of a bright and fun school life at the academy crumbled faster than I had imagined.

I had longed to experience the peaceful, youthful life that I had never had during my teenage years, but when that part of the story became dull, I deleted the game without hesitation.

If my memory serves me right, just at the end of the second year and the beginning of the third, the plot took a dark turn.

After the demons realized the hero had been born, the demon commanders gathered their forces and began attacking the academy. The conflict escalated into a worldwide war between the demons and humanity, a typical reincarnation plot.

But thinking about what it would be like to live in such a world, instead of just playing it, sent a shiver down my spine.

I shook my head vigorously to shake off those thoughts.

I still have almost three years of leeway. I need to set more realistic goals than the three rules of avoidance I imposed at the beginning.

I need to become stronger to survive.

In the end, these fantasy games tend to have happy endings, and the protagonist will save the world. Falling into the trap of a hero’s mindset would only speed up my downfall.

I don’t need the nobility and strength of someone who saves the world; I need the strength to keep myself safe. I can’t live like a dry leaf that could be swept away at any moment.

I’ll train to become stronger, without drawing attention. If I stand out too much, I might get recruited to fight against the demons, and that would be a disaster.

Besides, the blessing of the Sword God, with all its advantages, also has serious drawbacks. I should limit its use.

Up until now, I’ve relied on the sashimi knife out of necessity, but I feel like my body is slowly deteriorating every time I use it, and I haven’t been eating well.

‘The power is certainly effective…’

I opened the “status window.”

Whirr—

== ==

[Blessing of the Sword God]

If you cut, you will be cut.

◎ Body Level: 2 ▷ Greater relaxation with the use of swords.

◎ Mental Level: 3 ▷ Presence and impact in your words and actions.

◎ Weapon Level: 1 ▷ Unlock conditions not yet met.

☆ Synchronization rate: 1.5%

★【???】

[※ The blessing activates only when the sword is less than 32 centimeters long and less than 6 centimeters wide.]

== ==

The messages in the status window had clearly changed. Fortunately, it seemed this world hadn’t abandoned me just yet. Although I was a background character, it seemed they had given me growth elements, telling me to fight and survive.

I stroked my chin as I examined the status window closely.

Maybe the ranks that appear at the end of body, mind, and weapon are a concept that replaces levels in general games.

Most likely, the “physical,” “mental,” and “weapon” levels are the equivalent of experience levels in traditional games.

The problem is the synchronization rate written at the bottom and the item labeled ” ？？？”.

The synchronization rate is represented as a percentage, unlike the other attributes. If there were at least some hint or description, I could deduce its meaning, but there are no additional explanations. And to top it off, why does it have a decimal?

But what really piques my curiosity is that item with only three question marks. No matter how many times I tap it, all I get is an annoying beep and the message, “Conditions not met, cannot access.”

I continued stroking my chin, turning over the possibilities in my mind. This blessing was already quite puzzling, but now there was an additional mystery.

But for now, there wasn’t enough information. I’ll find out in time.

For now, I need to train my body to survive and gather as much information as possible about this world.

Fortunately, next month there will be a practical hunting training session that will replace the midterm exam. The reward for completing it is a long sword called Muramasa.

It’s grade B. If I learn to wield it well, it’ll be more than enough until I graduate. Plus, it fits within the size restrictions of the blessing of the Sword God, so I’ll be able to use it without feeling like I’m wearing myself out.

I can’t always rely on the “pain insensitivity” blessing for those 30 seconds. I need to train myself with swords that don’t meet the blessing’s conditions as well.

‘Looks like I’ve got a lot of work to do.’

As I organized my thoughts, looking up at the stars, I heard a clear voice that snapped me out of my trance.

“Excuse me, that’s my spot.”

The voice was so pure that I immediately turned my head without realizing it.

Standing in front of me, framed by the night sky and the stars, with her carefully groomed blue hair, was a girl whose beauty radiated a mysterious aura.

Abel von Nibelung.

The moment when the plot shifted was right at midnight, with the sound of crickets in the background.